“Last night yet another story on Fox that wasn’t true,” says Rhodes. Then a minute later adds, “O’Reilly…you’re a neutered Bush lap dog. Your show should be on Animal Planet.”
There’s no love lost between Rhodes and O’Reilly or much warmth between Fox News and Air America in general. It's also no secret that some conservative broadcasters have openly chided the fledgling operation from the moment it began with predictions of a short-lived history.
From a reviewer’s point of view, I made no predictions of doom but early on questioned the network’s entertainment value which brought on a barrage of hate email which was surprisingly personal and malicious. Quite honestly, at the time, I found the hate email more entertaining than Al Franken! (I also have no doubt the title of this article alone will release a new onslaught of venom simply because I’ve had the audacity to use the words “panhandling” and “survival” in the same sentence as “Air America”. Fine. Do your worst.)
That being what it may, one does have to wonder about Air America’s new appeal for flat-out donations from listeners.
It’s no secret the network started on shaky financial footing when almost immediately the owner of KBLA/Los Angeles and WNTD/Chicago cut the network feed from Air America Radio because the network bounced a payment check.
And just a few months ago it became public knowledge that the first corporate head, Evan Cohen, arranged a questionable loan of $875,000 from New York City's Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club. Air America was eventually forced to pay it all back – with the final installment handed over earlier this month.
Which brings me to the crux of this article: What’s the deal with Air America Radio asking for listener donations? Their website declares “Air America Wants You!” and is suggesting listeners become “Air America Associates”
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